Tableware clip-on device

ABSTRACT

A C-ring clips to an edge of tableware. The C-ring has a rearwardly extending shaft supporting a ball. A gripping device rotates on the ball and supports a shelf. A fixture capable of displaying an ornament or name card is attached to the shelf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a movable holding device attached to a ballsupported by a shaft. More particularly, it refers to a clip-on devicefor tableware whereby nameplates or decorative devices are attached tothe tableware.

It is known in the prior art to have a movable picture holder supportedon a ball as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 363,525. Clips have been used asflower holders as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,987,071 and cake platedecorating items have been clipped to plates as shown in U.S. Pat. No.2,658,297. Name plates and decorative items have been associated withdinnerware usually by placing them adjacent to a dinner plate or glass.Such name plates are common in restaurants for reserving a space forcustomers. By placing them adjacent to a plate or glassware, the nameplate can be mixed up or covered over by other tableware. A need existsfor a device that will attach to tableware and not be covered over ordisturbed from its proper identifying position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem of misplaced or covered over name plates is solved by thepresent invention. The device of this invention is a C-ring that clampsaround a dinner plate outer edge. The C-ring is a plastic or metaldevice that will resiliently attach to the edge of the dinner plate. TheC-ring has a horizontal shaft extending distal from the dinner plate anda ball mounted at an upright end of the shaft. A partially circularmember is movably mounted over the ball and an upwardly directed shaftfrom the partially circular member supports a platform for receiving acard holder or a decorative item such as a flower or a favor. Byclipping the C-ring to the edge of a dinner plate or other tableware,the name of the guest is displayed or alternatively a decorative floweror party favor is displayed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill inthe art by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the clip-on device of this invention.

FIG. 2 a is an exploded view of the clip-on device.

FIG. 2 b is a perspective view of an alternate way of mounting the ball.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clip-on device mounted on a dinnerplate with an identifying name plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the following detailed description, the same referencenumerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

The clip-on device 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-3 is a C-ring 12 with anintegral horizontally directed shaft 14. The upright end 16 of the shaft14 supports a ball 18. The end 16 of shaft 14 can be a rod embedded inthe center of ball 18.

A movable attachment to the ball 18 is a T-bar or a support 20 for acard holder 22. The support 20 has a cap in the shape of a partialcircle 24 connected to a platform 26 by a strut 28. The card holder hasspreadable lips 30 and 32 and downwardly directed pedestals 34 and 36press fit into holes 38 10 and 40 respectively in the platform 26. Asshown in FIG. 3, the C-ring 12 grips an edge 42 of a dinner plate 44.The lips 30 and 32 hold a name card 46. Alternatively lips 30 and 32 canhold the base of an ornament such as a flower or a party favor.

The slip-on device 10 can be attached to various tableware itemsincluding a dinner plate, serving tray, charger, bowl, basket, hot trayor glass.

The decorative items can include the name card 46 as well as flowers,fruits, nuts, foliage, favors, or toys.

By use of the clip-on device 10, the decorative item is movable so thatthe decorative item is positioned to lean over or away from the dinnerplate. It can lean to the left or right depending on the decorative itememployed.

The C-ring 12 and its integral shaft 14 as well as the support 20 andholder 22 are molded from a high strength plastic such as polyethylene,polypropylene or polystyrene. The ball 18 can be a molded fluorocarbonor a metal.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the elements of the clip-ondevice to create substantially the same functional device insubstantially the same way to achieve substantially the same results.

1. A tableware clip-on device comprising: a C-ring adapted to grip anedge of tableware, the C-ring integral with a shaft extending away froma back end of the C-ring, the shaft connected to a ball at a pointdistal from the C-ring; the ball supported by an axially mounted pinattached to the shaft at the point distal from the C-ring; a partiallycircular cap adapted to movably grip the ball, the circular capsupporting a T-bar on an exterior surface distal from an opening betweena pair of ends on the circular cap; and the T-bar supporting a pair ofspreadable lips adapted to hold an ornament or name card so that theornament or name card is attached by the C-ring to the tableware. 2.(canceled)
 3. The tableware clip-on device according to claim 1 whereinthe C-ring, shaft, T-bar and spreadable lips are made from a molded highstrength polymer.
 4. A combination tableware plate and clip-on devicecomprising: a tableware plate; a C-ring adapted to grip an edge of thetableware plate, the C-ring integral with a rearwardly extending shaft,a distal end of the shaft connected to a ball; the ball supported by anaxially mounted pin attached to the distal end of the shaft; a means formovably gripping the ball and supporting a shelf; and a means fordisplaying an ornament attached to the shelf.
 5. The tableware plate andclip-on device according to claim 4 wherein the means for movablygripping the ball is a frictionally engaging partial circular member. 6.The tableware plate and clip-on device according to claim 4 wherein themeans for displaying an ornament is a clamping device mounted on theshelf.